Deeply felt, Susan. I understand the depth of peoples' pain, but sadly death is such a permanent solution. I am saddened by Robin's death - and love the picture of the Robin that accompanies your poem, and the lines about the real ones searching for worms. I hope I will always live towards the future and continue to consider aging a privilege and a gift. It is worth it just for the sunsets alone!!!! I am just finishing Miriam Toews' All My Puny Sorrows which deals with suicide brilliantly. A wonderful read.

Robin Williams' death rocked me to my core, Susan, because I love some who share his bipolar diagnosis; and I understand that, after years of instability and illness, the living may no longer be worth the battle.

Ah! I love your reference to the robin of your garden (I have one too). How hard it must be to live up to other people's expectations, be defined by the screenwriters' lines when really all one needs is space to be true to self.

This shook me to the core. We always wonder what pushes a person over the edge of no more... but what would push us? And what would we do if standing at the edge, with strong wind on our back, the threat of pain if we turn, and the promise of freedom is we jump?

The end of this man's life has put so many thoughts in mine. And your poem has stirred each and every one of them.

I think Robin Williams' death was a wake-up call for us all. I guess we all have a choices in life, whether or not to allow agings its run being one of them. It seems he suffered a lot more than we know. In life he entertained, and in death he taught lessons.

Good grief! Your message was powerful enough for me to think about Suicide as the "unforgivable Sin," then I relapse into modern, evolutionary times of forgiveness, understanding, sadness, and SO be It. We have discovered the province of Judas as necessary to fulfill the prophecy. So we did have to hang him, without regret. Despair and it's causes are the things that are regrettable... as we dissect our values.None of this is directed at anyone... just Thanks for the platform to express my view, inspired by your writing.ZQ

Back again from the Pantry and got even more out of it this time.........yes, surprised. If I live to be eighty, there will not be enough time. I fear going sooner, still so much to write, so many sunsets to see. Not ready. And while I have huge compassion for Robin and what he was going thru I keep thinking of how differently Michael J. Fox accepted his diagnosis. Mind you he isnt bi-polar. It is a hard road, and so many brilliant people walk it. I got a lot out ofthis poem, kiddo. Both times.

I was saddened by Robin's death. I hope it will bring awareness that help is available to ease the pain. Your poem is courageous in its stance. Thank you for sharing your hopeful view, Susan, and what a beautiful image of the robin.

One of the problems of loving actors is whether you love the characters they play or the skill of the person playing them. He entertained us in everything he did even the dark "One Hour Photo" so it was a surprise that he couldn't act his way through this too. Instead he was just like us and chose to be as we always imagined him to the end.Thank you for your words Susan.

Very interesting and thought provoking post. I am never surprised when anyone attempts or commits suicide. After all humans are not kind loving creatures to live amongst.They are mainly indiscriminate killers by nature. Help comes often too late for those in trouble and is just a band aid effect.Strategies need to be put in place at the educational level by developing a a philosophy which enables one to survive at a very very young age.This could solve the bipolar problem to a certain extent as well. Living in a secular, materialistic society is also a contributing factor to suicide, drug addiction and crime. No too often one gets a meaty poem deserving a lengthy response. Good one Susan !

Such a difficult issue. Made me think of my mother-in-law, 94 years old, in a nursing home, relatively healthy but her mind is pretty much gone. And of course myself. Aging is annoying me. Increased medical needs, awareness of different foods - giving up many I loved, threats of illness (recently a biopsy had to prove I still don't have cancer). What will I do in the event of an illness that promises more and more loss of physical abilities? Maybe the future will surprise me. Very good write and perspective Susan. Thanks.

re-Mothering: Poems by Susan Chast

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*My poems normally disappear from this blog after 5 days so they may be published elsewhere. However, I leave many in Poets United Poetry Pantry where fine poets post poems of their own that they love.

I developed my blogs in April 2012. "Susan's Poetry" displays my poems for 5 days only, and the more permanent "Susan, continued" mixes readings, poems, and discussion. Both are a commitment to boldness, to talking out my thoughts, and to performing as I used to from instinct to instinct.

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Notes On The Art Of Poetry

by Dylan Thomas

I could never have dreamt that there were such goings-onin the world between the covers of books,such sandstorms and ice blasts of words,such staggering peace, such enormous laughter,such and so many blinding bright lights,splashing all over the pagesin a million bits and piecesall of which were words, words, words,and each of which were alive foreverin its own delight and glory and oddity and light.

THE PEACE of WILD THINGS

by Wendell Berry

When despair grows in meand I wake in the middle of the night at the least soundin fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,I go and lie down where the wood drakerests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.I come into the peace of wild thingswho do not tax their lives with forethoughtof grief. I come into the presence of still water.And I feel above me the day-blind starswaiting for their light. For a timeI rest in the grace of the world, and am free.